The 2021 World Classic Powerlifting Championships are in full swing at the Eleiko HQ in Halmstad, Sweden. Covid restrictions presented many challenges for competition organisers and resulted in the masters, sub-junior and junior championships being combined with the open category to make one huge competition.
The masters led the way with 109 women and 127 men representing 33 countries over 3 long days and 2 platforms. The support of the good people at Eleiko was absolutely crucial in making this possible and they left no stone unturned in their efforts to welcome us and give the lifters the best possible experience. The quality of the equipment was unsurpassed, both in the huge warm up room and also in the training room provided to athletes and support staff. Covid protocols ensured the safety of all present and that the competition could take place within government guidelines.
The British women’s M1 team snatched victory from the home nation by a single point but the British M2 team dominated. Norway took the M3 award but the home nation did manage to take the M4 award.
In the men’s competition, the Swedish team swept the board in the M1s, M2s and M3s but lost out to France by a single point in the M4s.
Special mention goes to Anthony McLeggan, the smiling Irishman who became Ireland's first ever World Champion, and was closely followed by Niamh Savage who pulled a world record to become the second. Close competition award goes to the M2 women with the supers trading positions with virtually every lift and the 69s coming down to the final pull. Top record collectors were Rolf Hampel and David Ricks in the M3s, Georgina Hazell in the M2s and Inger Blikra in the M3s.
World records fell and championship titles were won and lost but what always characterises the masters competition is the camaraderie, friendships old and new and the overwhelming love for the sport. Long may it continue.
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